Garden Planning

Posted on February 13, 2010 by itfarmer
Garden Planning

Garden Planning

As I continue to dig out from the recent snowfall, I’ve been passing the time indoors by planning this years garden. While writting this, I have 20 types of tomatoes, and 7 types of peppers. I have so many types because I’m trying to build a collection of non-hybrid plants. Hybrid plants are great, but the seeds can’t be saved from year to year, so in the long run, hybrids are no good for building a collection. 

Last year, I was given some Cheerokee Purple and Yellow Brandywine seeds, and the year before that, I started saving Red Lightning Seeds from Chinese Tomatoes. This year, I hope to save at least 15 varieties of seeds, including  the White Tomatoes seeds that I have ordered, but have not arrived yet.

With the folder on the left, I’m saving all of the information about each variety of plant; and on the odd shaped piece of wood below the folder, I have a garden map, all plotted out, with 1 inch equalling 10 feet (The actual Garden is 60 Feet by 250 + Feet.). Planning this all out reminds me of the game Farmville on Facebook, but in real life there are no lines, and only Mother Nature’s rules.

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A Beautiful Tree

Posted on February 7, 2010 by itfarmer
A Pine Tree, with Cones

A Pine Tree, with Cones

Althought this tree only provides shade for humans, it is quite important for some of the other critters that live on the farm. Birds and other small animals will eat the seeds hidden in the pine cones which are growing.

But that’s not why I took this picture. It is simply a beautiful tree, and in the depths of winter, some times we all need a pick up.

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Sage, In Winter

Posted on February 7, 2010 by itfarmer
Sage

Sage

Last year, I devoted a section of my garden to Herbs. It takes herbs quite a while to get started, but I figured I would try growing them from seed.  I dug up some of the plants when I feared the frost would kill them,  and brought them in the house. After a year or so, I decided I would plant this sage by my walkway. I figured it would go dormant in the fall, and sprout a-new in the spring.

I was pleasently suprised when I noticed the plant growing right throught our first snowfall, and I’m still suprised it’s alive. Recently, tempuratures have been below zero, and here the sage just keeps going.

Hooray for Sage. Now, I just need to find a dish that it will spice up….

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Propogating Grapes, Revisited.

Posted on February 7, 2010 by itfarmer
Mom's Grape Arbor - Niagara W/ Seeds

Mom's Grape Arbor - Native W/ Seeds

Yesterday, Nate and I pruned the Concord Grapes by the Ice House, so today, I thought I would prune Mom’s Grapes, which are Native W/ Seeds. There was once a shed there, since it was torn down, these grapes grew on there own. Sometimes, I think birds plant these seeds on purpose.

 It was such a beautiful day, cold and all. You see, I didn’t stay outside long. I clipped off the canes I wanted to clone, and promply took them to the Green House. Once inside, I was happy as always to see it was above 70 F.

When you are selecting canes, try to get second year growth. You may notice that the part  of the vine that grew within the last 12 months is missing the outer layer of bark, and has a smooth feel. These should be avoided. Any part that is not first year growth will sprout new growth, but the vines that  are about the thickness of a pencil seem to do best. Try to cut the vines into sections with three buds.

Cut vines into sections with Three buds as shown.

Cut vines into sections with Three buds as shown.

After cutting up the vines into three-budded-canes, I was left with two piles; One is the desired part of the vine, and the rest is left-overs. To be humane, the pile of left-overs should be burnt. This will prevent the small vines from attempting to grow. There chances are slim, as they only have one bud, and I don’t like to encourage plants to grow that have little chance of making it.

Two piles of results, one canes, the other garbage.

Two piles of results, one canes, the other garbage.

Next, it’s time to fill some pots or cups with Miracle Grow. I’ve used small stryofoam cups, reused from Tomato plants last year.

First Tray Complete.

First Tray Complete.

Since the cups were so small and light weight, I added a second cup to help hold the canes upright. This should prevent the roots from being damaged by the cane being bumped around.

When done with all of the vines, I was left with 4 trays of 8 canes, or 32 clones that I hope will all grow.  

32 Propogating Vines

32 Propogating Vines

Posted in Cloning / Propogating, Grapes, How To's | 2 Comments

What are they thinking ?

Posted on February 3, 2010 by itfarmer
One of my chickens

One of my chickens

My chickens are the only “livestock” that I currently have, and I often wonder what they think about. I mean, some things are probably obvious, like “When is that red hair guy ganna bring more squash ?”; but I wonder about the things that aren’t obvious.

Sometimes when I’m feeding them, I try to imagine funny things that they might be thinking about. The picture above kinda “says” to me “Where are you putting all of the eggs you keep taking from us ?”. That particular chicken is timid, and can usually be found hiding in the back of the coop.

My Favorite Chicken

My Favorite Chicken

This is one of the friendliest, and is my personal favorite. She always seems to portray the look “Hey Whats up ?”. When I pour out there chicken scratch, she seems to survey the landscape before eating….. it’s quite unique in my little herd.

The Council

The Council

When the chickens are up on their perch, they look like they are at some sort of meeting; In the photo above, the white chicken appears defiant, almost as if to say “Hey, What are you doing here ?”. Notice how the red chicken appears to be planning an exit strategy. She must be thinking “If I can peck that guy between the eyes, maybe I can get out of here”.

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Equipment Roundup

Posted on January 31, 2010 by itfarmer
Old Fashion Hay Rake

Old Fashion Hay Rake

Yesterday, Davie located a hay wagon, sickle bar and  bailer for sale, and before I could say tomatoes, we were off to buy them. After taking a few pictures of the new equipment, I decided to make a post about all of the equipment that we are starting the year with.

 The hay rake above is from long long ago. When Dad was still kicking, we attached this rake to the truck, and tried to use it to collect hay. I must say the old timers must have had a lot more patience then us, because it was very time consuming to use. It worked for a day, and the hay that was cut did not go to waste, but this piece of equipment is retired in my book.

Manure Spreader

Manure Spreader

Above is a Manure Spreader. When I was a child, and saw one of these in operation, I though the farmer was surely mad. I used to think “Why on earth would you deliberatly cover your beautiful land with manure ?”. I’ve since grown up, and I see things a bit more clearly. In the last few months, I’ve shoveled more manure than I ever thought I would, at least 10 truck loads. With a garden the size of mine, I know that manure spreader will save me half of the work I’m currently doing. You see, I can attach the spreader to the truck, drive it  to the manure, shovel it in, and drive home. When I get to my garden, I can flip a lever, and drive the truck. As the wheels turn, the manure will be flung all over the garden. I can’t wait to try it.

An Old Hay Wagon, with Wooden Rims

An Old Hay Wagon, with Wooden Rims

Here’s a very old hay wagon, made mostly from wood, with scarce traces of metal in it’s construction. I was hoping to use this while making hay this year, but when Mom saw it, that plan went the way of Betamax. The wagon is an antique, and Mom now has other plans for it.

Hay Bailer

Hay Bailer

Here’s the hay bailer we bought. With the snow pilled up high, we had no other place to put this, so here it is in my front yard. I don’t mind a bit.

The 9N Ford Tractor

The 9N Ford Tractor

Finally, there is the 9N Ford tractor that Dad bought long ago. He always wanted to fix it up to use around the farm, but in those days, I couldn’t yet see the value of a tractor; Now that I understand, I’ve begun the process. It’s funny how I remember Dad every time I turn a wrench, or fix things around the farm.

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George’s Pigs

Posted on January 30, 2010 by itfarmer
George's Pigs

George's Pigs

Here’s another post from the other side of the farm, all about, Pigs. 

I love being on this end of the farm due to the sheer isolation. Looking up at the hills, there is no trace of civilization, simply trees, and snow, horses, chickens, and pigs.  Birds and geese flow overhead, and occasionally you will see a plane or helicopter. It truly feels as if the world has vanished, and taken all your worries and troubles with it.

Pigs with Spots

Pigs with Spots

Recently, George has been expanding his herd with spotted pigs, which look quite festive.

Pig Paths

Pig Paths

Inside the fence, there is a pond which supplies drinking water. The pigs have learned to use the  same path, as it’s easier when the snow gets a few inches deep. This particular path leads to the one place where the water is not frozen.

A bit too close for comfort

A bit too close for comfort

Most pigs are friendly, but this one was about as heavy as me, and right in my face. I was kneeling down to get a close up shot of a baby pig when I noticed just how close this big guy was. I clicked off a shot quickly, then stood up.

Posted in Pigs | 4 Comments

Thermal Batteries

Posted on January 27, 2010 by itfarmer
Stored Sunshine

Stored Sunshine

Thats my nickname for this setup, “Thermal Batteries”. The barrels and smaller jugs are filled with water, and painted.  Because the jugs are painted black, they absorb the suns rays easier then other colored jugs. This allows them to take in more of the heating affect of the rays. 

Water also holds heat better then air, since water is denser. I have begun to appreciate this affect when checking on the greenhouse. The barrels of water are warmer then the air around them. It was about 20 F today, and the barrels had no sings of freezing.

Im guessing I will need a few more large barrels, and lots of smaller jugs to raise the tempurate to be consistently above 40. 

I’ve noticed a temperature difference in jugs sprayed flat black compared to glossy black. The glossy paint must cause the light to bounce away, as the flat black containers were noticably warmer.

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The Greenhouse In Winter

Posted on January 21, 2010 by itfarmer
The Greenhouse In Winter

The Greenhouse In Winter

It took all summer, and a lot of help to finish my new favorite building. I found some really great plastic to cover it with, called Clear Polycarbonate Sheeting. The sheeting worked so much better then I imagined, but at $20, per 8 ft by 3 ft section, it was not cheap. Altogether, I figure I only spent $1,500, for all the building materials. I even found the glass door in one of the farm sheds.

The tempurature hovers about 5 degrees above the outside temp at night, and when the sun is out, it can peak out at 80 + degrees in January. Since I get a bit gloomy in the winter, I like to spend time basking in the sun, sitting in the red fold up chair in the corner. When stepping inside on a sunny day, it’s time to strip down to a t-shirt, and jeans, and this time in the sun tends to trick my brain into thinking I’m someplace tropical…. wooohoooo0 !

I did a search online for heating systems, and found that some people are storing the heat from the sun, without the need for a heating system. The idea is to store the sunshine in a “thermal battery”, which would charge on sunny days. This battery would then release the heat at night, and on cloudy days. The easiest method I have seen is to use barrels of water, painted black. You can research this further at “Topper’s Place“. I’ve started collecting small jugs (2.5 gallons per jug), and painting them black. So far, I don’t have nearly enough water, but I have until March to accomplish that goal.

The smaller building to the left is my small chicken coop. I have six chickens, mainly for eggs, and manure. I really don’t think I could eat these guys, as I’ve come to notice individuality in the small herd. Each chicken has it’s own personality it seems, I even have a “bully” in the heard, that always eats first.

The dimensions of the Greenhouse are: 14ft x 16ft.

Posted in Building and Construction, Greenhouse | 3 Comments

Brrr !

Posted on January 20, 2010 by itfarmer
A Frosty January Morning.

A Frosty January Morning.

 Brrr !

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